FREQUENCY OF MINOR BLOOD GROUP ANTIGENS —A STEP TOWARDS SAFER TRANSFUSION

Authors

  • Saadia Saad Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Aga Khan University Medical College, Karachi, Pakistan
  • Raheela Pyar Ali Consultant, Husaini Institute of Haematology, Karachi, Pakistan
  • Sana Soomro Department of Physiology, United Medical and Dental College, Karachi, Pakistan
  • Uzma Najam Department of Physiology, United Medical and Dental College, Karachi, Pakistan
  • Asaad Javaid Baqai Medical University, Karachi, Pakistan

Keywords:

Blood banks, duffy blood group protein human, kell blood group protein human

Abstract

Background: ABO and Rh blood typing is done routinely prior to transfusion, but weaker blood group antigens like Kell, Duffy, and Kidd also have clinical relevance because of their involvement in haemolytic transfusion reactions (HTRs) and haemolytic disease of the foetus and newborn (HDFN). There is sparse data regarding the frequency of these antigens in Pakistanis. This study aimed to find the prevalence of minor blood group antigens—Kell, Duffy, and Kidd—among male O blood group donors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in 200 male O blood group donors from Hussaini Blood Bank during April to June 2024. Routine serological methods were used to identify Rh (excluding ‘e’), Kell (K, k), Duffy (Fya, Fyb), and Kidd (Jka, Jkb) antigens. Frequencies are presented as percentages and compared with pertinent Pakistani studies of the past decade. Results: Of all Rh antigens, D was most common (86%), followed by C (74%), c (68%), and E (28%). ‘K’ antigen was present in 4% of donors, while ‘k’ was present in 98%. Fya and Fyb antigens were present in 78% and 64% respectively. Jka and Jkb antigens were present in 77% and 68% of donors. These results were consistent with earlier national and regional findings. Conclusion: A sufficiently greater prevalence of clinically significant minor blood group antigens underscores the importance of prolonged antigen characterization in blood banks for improving transfusion safety.

Pak J Physiol 2025;21(4):33–6, DOI: https://doi.org/10.69656/pjp.v21i4.1890 

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Published

31-12-2025

How to Cite

1.
Saad S, Pyar Ali R, Soomro S, Najam U, Javaid A. FREQUENCY OF MINOR BLOOD GROUP ANTIGENS —A STEP TOWARDS SAFER TRANSFUSION. Pak J Phsyiol [Internet]. 2025 Dec. 31 [cited 2026 Jan. 17];21(4):33-6. Available from: https://www.pjp.pps.org.pk/index.php/PJP/article/view/1890

Issue

Vol. 21 No. 4 (2025): Pakistan Journal of Physiology

Section

Original Article

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Copyright (c) 2026 Saadia Saad, Raheela Pyar Ali, Sana Soomro, Uzma Najam, Asaad Javaid

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